Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. Last year, after the government became the first majority government in more than 50 years to lose control of the House, the Prime Minister told Neil Mitchell, 'It won't happen again'. He went on to say, 'It will not happen again'. Since then, it's happened again and again. After losing yet another vote yesterday, can the Prime Minister confirm that his working majority is not a majority and doesn't work?

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm so glad that the Manager of Opposition Business is taking such a keen interest in the comings and goings in divisions here, and keeping an eye on the numbers. That's terrific. And keeping an eye on Neil Mitchell!

Mr Hammond interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Perth!

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

But, you know, Mr Speaker, when it comes to predictions about what might happen, about members of parliament or senators, what about this?

Mr Hammond interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Perth is warned.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 6 September, the Leader of the Opposition said, 'Trust me'. 'Trust me', he said. Who would do that? 'Trust me, Senator Dastyari has learnt that lesson very clearly.' And then, squaring his shoulders, with the determination of a great patriot, the Leader of the Opposition said, 'I've made it crystal clear. I don't expect to see this happen again. He knows he's made a mistake.' Grinding his teeth, with anger and determination: 'On balance, I'm prepared to give him a second chance.' He said, 'I'm prepared, however, to give him a second chance, because I think he can make a contribution to this country'. But the problem was, it wasn't our country! It was somebody else's country. The character test is very simple: can the Leader of the Opposition say that Senator Dastyari has put Australia first? He cannot. And unless he can make the case for Senator Dastyari—which he refuses to make—then Senator Dastyari must go.

The anonymous commentator to Nick McKenzie and James Massola—I quoted a moment ago—is dead right. He should not be in the Senate and he should not be in the Labor Party, and the Leader of the Opposition has got to decide whether he is prepared to stand up for Australia. Everybody else in this place does. Everybody else is, except for him; he is hanging by a thread connected to Senator Dastyari. That is no way to lead and no way to present yourself as the alternative Prime Minister.